Research on the Regulation of Piezoelectric Properties of KE/PVA 3D Network Nanofibrous Membranes

Wool keratin (KE) exhibits intrinsic piezoelectric properties; however, its limited biocompatibility and stability hinder broader applications. In this work, an innovative approach is presented to fabricate piezoelectric materials by integrating KE extracted from waste wool via an acid–base method with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) as the matrix. Three-dimensional (3D) KE/PVA nanofibrous membranes were successfully fabricated by using electrospinning, demonstrating excellent mechanical strength and favorable wettability. Under mechanical excitation at 2 Hz frequency and 10 N pressure, the membranes generated a piezoelectric output voltage of up to 2.1 V, approximately 3-fold higher than that of pure PVA membranes. This significant enhancement underscores the potential of KE/PVA composites for wearable artificial intelligence and flexible sensing applications. Furthermore, this strategy not only advances the development of high-performance piezoelectric materials but also provides a sustainable route for recycling waste wool, aligning with environmental conservation and technological innovation.